Monday, August 8, 2011

Spa Day

Having our 11 year old niece around for a month has been a learning experience. Good prep for the tweenage years steadily approaching our home. We've learned a lot about cousin Kelsey too- she likes to shop, and can really mill over a purchase. She is fabulous at helping to clean up, do chores, pitch in. She's a sweet kid- definitly an extrovert who would prefer to be out and about seeing and doing new stuff.

However, on a slow day when laundry was quite necessary and packing for travel was required, we hung out for a girls spa day instead.
In between folding laundry and gathering travel supplies, they made avacado facials, scrubs, bath fizzies, lip balm, powder puffs and more. (recipes included below)
If you happen to have a slow day at home, or someone needs a little lift, these are great, easy recipes for a spa day at home. Ingredients can easily be found in stores or at the pharmacy.

Avacado Face Mask- great to moisturize skin...

Step 1: Cut open 1/2 avacado and remove pit, then scoop out meat and mash until very smooth

First- mix oat flour and sugar, add honey and drizzle with oil in a small bowl. Add extract or essential oil

Second- stir well, then scrub onto your hands, lips!

Bath Fizzies-

You'll need a mold for this- even a cupcake/muffin tin might work?3 TBS baking soda, 1 TBS cornstarch, 1 TBS citric acid, 3 TBS waterStep 1: Mix dry ingredients, sprinkle with enough water until the mix is dry but wills tick togetherStep 2: fill the molds overflowing and then pack them down tightStep 3: Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight, then remove from molds

Step 4: seal in box or container until next tubbytime!

Scented Stones (what appears to look like a cookie above :)

These stones are for sock and underwear drawers, closets and storage boxes, where you want to make things smell nicer.Need: a heaping 3/4 cup flour, 2 TBS salt, 1/8 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/3 cup water, 1 teaspoon essential oil (We used lavender as it's preferential and often favored for this sort of thing here in Europe)Optionally - add a few drops of food coloring too ( We didn't bother- no need for extra dies, but it can be done)Step 1: Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and stirStep 2: heat water in microwave til hot and stir into bowl , then add essential oil (and optional food color if using)Step 3: Knead the mix until it feels like a blended dough. if it's too sticky, add more flourStep 4: roll out mix onto floured surface and cut into shapes with cookie cuttersLet them dry overnight.

(or pop them into the microwave on a plate and cook 'em 5 minutes to help them dry out)

Step 1: measure all ingredients into a bowl and mixStep 2: poke about 6- 8 holes into center of fabric square, then pour a spoonful or two onto the fabric square over the holesStep 3: pull cotton balls apart to stretch them out. Lay them on top of the poweder on the fabric.

Step 4: gather the fabric edges and tie with a ribbon. Then pat powder whenever there's a need for refreshing lift!

Copyright- Jusk Ask!

So, under the advice and encouragement of others, I'm adding a copyright statement to the family blog. Ridiculous really. I don't really mind if someone wants to use a photo. Actually it's always a bit flattering when someone asks. I don't mind at all, but just ask! Simple manners. This all came about because I stumbled upon my photos, which had been posted on the blog, being used here in Europe by someone making travel ads. He did site the blog; fair enough. But I realized that our kids could show up on a billboard in the Philippines with some strange photo shopped monster streaming from their noses, if I didn't at least try to persuade borrowers to at least ask first. I'm going to say yes, of course. I'm going to let you use the photo. I'll probably even offer to mail you a copy on disc. So just ask. It's a bit like RSVP- just do it. RSVP to that party. It's not hard, and it's the right thing to do- to let the hostess know you're not going to attend, or better yet, that you will show up. Please. I'm a nice person. I don't bite. Just ask.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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